185. Watch Giant Blows His Big Launch, Swatch Ad Scandal & Ariel’s Haunted by Oldsmobile Hell

This week’s aBlogtoWatch Weekly podcast illustrates that watch talk is never just about watches. The team opens up with its trademark mix of banter and sharp observations, spotlighting the eccentric world of auctioning watch memorabilia — equal parts fascinating and absurd.

The conversation shifts to Frank Müller and Swatch, as the team dissects advertising missteps as cases in point regarding how even established brands stumble when trying to capture attention in today’s market. From there, the convo pivots to tariffs and trade policy, a pressing issue reshaping the pricing of luxury watches in the U.S. and influencing both consumer behavior and brand strategy.

Listeners also get a close review of the Formex Essence 41, with its refinements over earlier versions prompting debate about how new models stand out in an increasingly crowded field.

On the release front, Roger Dubuis’ Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph in pink gold earns admiration for its fearless design, reaffirming the brand’s boundary-pushing identity. In contrast, Loki’s Pacific Coast Highway watch offers a mission-driven, locally inspired approach that brings a refreshing perspective to new launches.